Union Iron Works Maritime Heritage

Union Iron Works has a rich maritime heritage that spans over a century. The shipyard was founded in 1883 by a group of investors who saw an opportunity to capitalize on the growing demand for ships in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The shipyard's location on the San Francisco waterfront made it an ideal spot for shipbuilding, with easy access to the Bay and a steady supply of skilled workers. Union Iron Works quickly established itself as a major player in the maritime industry.

The shipyard's early years were marked by the construction of cargo ships, including the SS Columbia, which was launched in 1893 and was one of the largest ships on the West Coast at the time.

Union Iron Works has a rich history dating back to 1854 when it was founded by Thomas Norman in San Francisco.

Thomas Norman's innovative approach to ironworking led to the construction of the first iron ship in the United States, the SS Governor, in 1854.

The shipyard played a crucial role in the California Gold Rush, producing ships and equipment for miners and traders.

In the late 1800s, Union Iron Works expanded its operations to include the production of naval vessels, including the USS Oakland.

The company's expertise in shipbuilding earned it a contract to build the USS Oakland, which was commissioned in 1903.

During World War I, Union Iron Works shifted its focus to producing warships and equipment, including the USS Pittsburgh.

The company's contributions to the war effort were significant, with its ships playing a key role in several major battles.

In the 1920s, Union Iron Works returned to producing commercial vessels, including cargo ships and tankers.

The company's expertise in shipbuilding continued to grow, with its ships becoming a common sight on the world's oceans.

Union Iron Works continued to operate until its closure in 1936, when it was sold to the United States Navy.

Union Iron Works, a historic shipbuilding facility, played a significant role in World War II. The yard produced a variety of ships, including freighters, destroyers, and cruisers.

The facility's slipways were used to build these ships. Slipway 4, for example, was 99 feet wide and 550 feet long, with a NE-SW angle. This slipway was used from the 1890s to 1941.

During World War II, the San Francisco yard produced 36 Destroyers, among other ships. One notable destroyer built during this time was the USS The Sullivans, completed in 1943.

The facility's shipbuilding capabilities were extensive, with thousands of major ship repairs and refurbishments carried out during the war.

Here's a breakdown of some of the ships built at the facility's slipways during World War II:

Union Iron Works was a prolific manufacturer of locomotives, building over a dozen different types for various railroads, including the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad, Central Pacific Railroad, and Virginia and Truckee Railroad.

Some of the notable ships built by Union Iron Works include the El Primero, launched in 1893, and the USS Oregon, launched in the same year. The shipyard also produced a number of submarines, including the Adder-class submarines USS Grampus and USS Pike, and the R-class and S-class submarines.

The shipyard's output included a range of ships, from ferries like the Berkeley, launched in 1898, to destroyers like the Bainbridge-class destroyers USS Paul Jones, USS Perry, and USS Preble, built between 1900 and 1902. The shipyard's most famous ship, the USS Olympia, was launched in 1892 and served as Admiral Dewey's flagship at the Battle of Manila Bay.

Locomotives built by Union Iron Works were quite diverse, with some being constructed for regional railroads. The company's expertise was sought after by several notable railroads.

One notable example is the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad, which received locomotives from Union Iron Works. These locomotives played a crucial role in the development of the region's transportation infrastructure.

Union Iron Works also built locomotives for the Central Pacific Railroad, which was a major player in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. This achievement had a significant impact on the country's westward expansion.

Here are some of the notable railroads that received locomotives from Union Iron Works:

Union Iron Works was a prolific shipbuilder, producing a wide range of vessels from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. They built over 200 ships during this time, including warships, ferries, and tankers.

Some of their most notable warships include the USS Oregon, launched in 1893, and the USS Wisconsin, launched in 1898. These ships played important roles in various conflicts, including the Spanish-American War and World War I.

One of their earliest warships was the USS Charleston, launched in 1888. This was followed by the launch of the USS Olympia in 1892, which became Admiral Dewey's flagship at the Battle of Manila Bay. The Union Iron Works also built several submarines, including the USS Grampus and USS Pike, launched in 1902 and 1903, respectively.

The company also built a number of ferries, including the El Primero, launched in 1893, and the San Pablo, launched in 1899. These ferries were designed to transport people and cargo across the San Francisco Bay and beyond.

Here are some of the notable ships built by Union Iron Works:

The Union Iron Works also built a number of tankers, including the SS Acme, launched in 1916. These tankers played a crucial role in supplying the Allied forces during World War I.

The company's output during World War II was also significant, with the production of 36 destroyers, 12 destroyer escorts, and 4 cruisers. One of the notable warships built during this time was the USS The Sullivans, launched in 1943.

The Union Iron Works' legacy as a shipbuilder is a testament to the company's ingenuity and innovation. Their ships played important roles in various conflicts and helped shape the course of history.

Potrero Hill was a bustling area, with dirt roads and horse-drawn carriages being the primary mode of transportation.

The main business district was along Eighteenth Street, where you could find a grocery store run by Gus Lehrke, who also owned stables to care for the horses of the wealthier residents.

Frank Weiss had a butcher shop on Eighteenth Street, and Frank Wimmer, known as the "Mayor of Potrero", lived at the northeast corner of Eighteenth and Missouri.

The Union Iron Works was located at the foot of Potrero Hill, on the bay side, and produced barges and river boats that moved up the Sacramento River.

Irish Hill rose between the main hill and the Iron Works, and the company's production of battleships like the Charleston led to an increase in population on Potrero.

During the 1900s until after WWII, Union Iron Works produced many of the ships in the Pacific Fleet.

The Union Iron Works at Pier 70 produced some of its most illustrious ships during the pre-World War II era.

The shipyard built several navy ships that became internationally famous during the Spanish-American war, such as Admiral Dewey's flagship the Olympia, and the battleship Oregon.

Some of the first effective submarines in the U.S. Navy were also produced at the shipyard.

The shipyard operated as part of Bethlehem Steel after 1905, and produced both warships and merchant ships.

Here are some notable ships built at Pier 70 before World War II:

After World War II, the shipyard continued to produce ships, including a large number of destroyers during World War I.